What Is Toxic Positivity? 4 Ways to Ditch "Positive Vibes Only" in 2023

PUBLISHED Oct 14th, 2020 & UPDATED ON Feb 8th, 2023

How many times have you started telling someone about some really tough shit that’s going on in your life and they respond with “Just think positively! You’ll feel better!” …like oh that’s it?? All I needed was some of your toxic positivity??

We’ve heard it a thousand times before. Think positive. Be positive. Positive vibes only. Ugh! It can become frustrating when you feel like your emotions are constantly being invalidated. It’s like people are telling you that you’re not allowed to feel anything negative at all!

Well, humans don’t work that way. We have soooo many feelings. We can’t simply shove our ‘negative’ emotions deep down inside of us and only feel happy all the time. That’s not healthy, and let’s be honest, life would get boring real quick.

People who promote the idea of constant positivity have good intentions because they’re trying to help you see the beautiful things that surround you. We believe that being grateful for the life you have is important, but we also believe that we should be allowed to experience other feelings as well.

Especially if we’re ever faced with hardship. Not every bad experience is “a chance for us to learn and grow.” Sometimes, life sucks and we just want to be sad and feel sad, dammit!

What Is Toxic Positivity?

Optimism can be a really important concept for some people, especially those who centre their belief system around it. They might want to make their lives beautiful and full of loveliness, and want to share that same feeling with everyone around them. That doesn’t sound too bad, right?? So then what is toxic positivity?

Toxic Positivity is the idea that staying positive and ONLY staying positive in any situation is The. Only. Way. To. Be. The term refers to the overgeneralization of happiness no matter what.

But if this positivity isn’t coming naturally from within yourself and is being forced onto you, it’s inauthentic. It’s repressive and it denies your other emotions. It’s toxic as hell.

When this version of extreme positivity is being forced upon you, it can become really damaging, especially if you’ve gone to someone looking for their support.

Toxic Positivity is actually a version of gaslighting. Surprise! I bet you didn’t expect to see that word in an article talking about “Good Vibes Only,” hey?

Signs Of Toxic Positivity In Practice

Here are some toxic positivity examples that you’ve probably heard or unknowingly said at one point in time…

“It could be worse.”

“Just don’t think about it. Keep positive!”

“Everything happens for a reason.”

“Every cloud has a silver lining.”

“There’s always a rainbow at the end of a storm.”

“If I can do it, anyone can.”

Saying these things can hurt someone’s ability to accept what they’re being challenged with. It can cause a person to feel ashamed about how they’re processing their emotions because they don’t want to be seen as the party-pooper.

Toxic positivity puts a certain level of blame onto someone as well. It’s basically saying that the only reason someone is having such a difficult time is because they “just aren’t thinking positively enough.” It can even end up affecting your mental health in the long run. Always being positive, or being told to be positive, can cause people to go into denial, develop self-doubt, and even cause depression (ohhhh the irony!).

For example, only praising someone’s positive feelings can lead to them questioning if they have a right to their negative feelings at all. It can make someone feel like they’re “playing the victim,” when in actuality, they might just need to vent!

4 Ways to Ditch Toxic Positivity

When you accept someone and their emotions – good or bad – it can be a really comforting and validating experience for them. So, if someone comes to you in need of advice or comfort, here are some things that you can say that don’t play into the idea of toxic positivity:

1. “That sounds really difficult. I’m so sorry that you’re going through this.”

Simple. Straight forward. Compassionate. Validates the struggle and the way it’s affecting the person sitting in front of you.

If you’re an eternally optimistic person reading this, how you choose to look at the world and tough situations is valid too. Just remember that everyone is unique and that we all process difficult life events differently.

2. “How can I support you?”

This one deserves no explanation! Instead of assuming what your loved one needs, ask them! They’ll tell you the best way you can show up for them. Some people love a listening ear and a gentle hug, while others might prefer that you take them to a smash room and break shit.

3. “Tell me how you feel. Don’t hold back! I’m here to listen.”

It’s totally normal to feel sadness, grief, or worry when dealing with a difficult situation. Accepting hardships and the emotions that come with different circumstances can actually help someone process everything and move forward in a healthy way. All of you have to do here is be a good listener.

4. “I love and care about you and I’m here to support you no matter what.”

How they’re experiencing their emotions is completely normal and valid. Let them be sad! Let them be mad! Support them regardless of their emotional state and let them know you’re there through the good vibes and the bad vibes and everything in between.

Sometimes, all we need is to complain a bit. Let us have our moment and maybe cry a little. Or a lot. Both work!